Mounting for license plate frames or the like



Nov. 27; 1945. AM 2,389,897

MOUNTING FOR LICENSE PLATE FRAMES OR THE LIKE Filed July 5, 1940 I 1 1 I 1 v I I I w z r z a 1 I. I I. a

i 20 5' a2 P Inveniov a Iiuberi E.Davi s,

Patented Nov. 27, 1945 MOUNTING FOR LICENSE PLATE FRAMES OR THE LIKE Hubert E. Davis, Boston, Mass., assignor to A. S.

Campbell (30., Inc., East Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 5, 1940, Serial No. 343,982

3 Claims.

This invention relates to mountings for license plate frames and similar structures wherein a generally hollow or tubular member is fitted over the edge of a plate or panel, and the object is to provide an improved construction permitting the plate and the framing element to be quickly assembled or disassembled without the need of tools and one wherein the parts are firmly held together when assembled Without rattles.

My invention will be well understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown it applied to a frame for an automobile license plate composed of members in the form of split cylindrical tubes and where- 1n Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a license plate with a frame secured in position thereon;

Fi 2 is a cross-section on the line 22 of 1 on a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a clip utilized in the construction; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views illustrating alternative methods of assembling the parts,

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have there illustrated a license plate frame P on which is mounted a frame herein shown as comprising two angular tubular members 8 of relatively small cross section telescoping within two cooperating angular tubular members In of relativel large cross section, the Whole forming a frame for the plate adjustable in size by sliding the members relative to one another. The members 8 and Ill may havean inwardly facing slot or split to receive the edge of the plate. Herein the tubes are cylindrical, that is, circular in cross section, and are split along their inner periphery providing a narrow slot only slightly wider than the plate P so that the plate entering the same will extend substantially along a diameter of the circle but obviously the cross section of the tubular member and the location of the slot may considerably vary in practice. The plate P may be suspended directly from the mounting brackets ordinarily found on automobiles by means of bolts passing through the usual slots l2. The frame herein is carried by the plate and is secured thereto with the parts held together in collapsed position about the same by means of suitable spring clips M of novel form.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 4, the clips 14 in the form illustrated each comprise a plate of resilient metal bent centrally to form a U-shaped end having substantially parallel sides IS. The sides are then curved successively out- Fig.

wardly and inwardly, as best seen in Fig. 2, to provide shoulder portions 18 at a distance from the extreme end of the clip no greater than the diameter of the tube. Thus when the relatively narrow end portion of the clip defined by the parallel sides I6 is presented to the split of such a tubular member as 10 and pressed transversely to the tube, the two sides of the clip may yield inwardly and after the shoulders have passed the margins of the tube will react outwardly so that the shoulders will snap behind these margins, the clip then being positioned within the tube and retained therein in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Beyond the shoulders IS the end portions of the clips may be turned inwardly toward each other and preferably also rearwardly toward the U-shaped end portion to provide a pair of jaws 20 which are normally positioned closer together than the thickness of the plate P and which are adapted to receive the edge of the plate between them and to close with snap engagement on the faces of the plate in gripping relation to the same in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5. When bent rearwardly as described, a groove-like space 22 is definedbetween them into which the edge of the plate may be placed to facilitate its engagement between the jaws.

The clip may be reinforced at the location of the U-shaped bend by means of the inwardly expressed rib 24.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative methods for securing together the plate P and the tubular frame element, such as 8, by means of the clips. Referring to Fig. 4, the narrow portion of the clip may be presented to the split of the tube and pressed transversely of the tube until the shoulders l8 snap behind the margins of the split as illustrated. Thus the clips l4 may be assembled with a frame such as that shown in Fig. 1 without completely dismantling the same in order to provide access to the end portions of the tubes. The frame expanded to a size somewhat larger than the plate P may then be placed in embracing relation to the same and collapsed about the plate, the edges of which will be forced in between the jaws 20 in a manner which will be apparent from Fig. 4, the parts then assuming the position of Fig. 2. Alternatively the clips M may first be snapped over the edges of the plate, as illustrated in Fig. 5, and the edge of the plate carrying the clips then forced through the split of the tubular member 8 in the manner suggested by Fig. 5, the final position of the parts likewise being as shown in Fig. 2. The assembly is simple and, while the parts are firmly and securely held together due to the opposed reactions of the various spring elements of the clip, the release or disassembly when necessary, as, for instance, when changing a plate, may be effected without diihculty and without injury to any of the parts.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in othe specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a split tube for embracing an edge of a plate, means for holding the two assembled comprising a spring element having a generally U-shaped middle no Wider than the split merging into outwardly bent portions defining locking shoulders not more distant from the end of the U than the interior dimension of the tube measured from said split to the opposite Wall whereby they may snap behind the margins of the split and terminating in opposed jaws for resiliently gripping the opposed faces of the plate outward of the tube.

2. In a mounting for a license plate frame or 1ike structure in combination with a split tube to be held assembled over the margin of a plate, a resilient member doubled over and presenting successively generally parallel sides defining a portion insertable through the split transversely of the tube, outwardly and inwardly bent portions defining shoulders engaging behind the margins of the split, and terminal inwardly bent portions defining jaws to grip the sides Of the plate.

3. In a mounting for a license plate frame or like structure in combination with a split tube to be held assembled over the margin of a plate, a resilient member doubled over and presenting successively generally parallel sides defining a portion inserta'ble through the split transversely of the tube, outwardly and inwardly bent portions defining shoulders engaging behind the margins of the split, and terminal inwardly and rearwardly bent portions defining jaws to grip the sides of the plate and a groove-like entrance for the edge of the plate to the bite of the jaws,

HUBERT E. DAVIS. 

